Tag: liner

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner

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Product:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner.  This simple beauty staple never lets me down.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.

Cost:  $6.74 (.10 oz.) ($67.40 per ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Almay; Target; Ulta; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Plastic tube, automatic twist-up pencil, built-in sharpener; snap cap.

Description:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is an automatic retractable eyeliner pencil.  Depending upon your facial cleanser you may or may not need to use an eye makeup remover.

Formula:  This is a semi-creamy formula.  It can be smudged a little.  To avoid smudging for long-term wear, it should be set with powder.

Sensitivity:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contacts.

Company Claims:

“Define your eyes with beautiful color that lasts up to 16 hours. Water-resistant, long-lasting, smudge-proof formula stays true and stays put. Formulated with vitamin E to nourish and protect your delicate eye area. Built-in sharpener keeps point sharp for precise definition.”

Discussion:  Almay was invented in 1931 when chemist Alfred Woititz began making cosmetics for his wife, Fanny May, who was allergic to makeup.  I have been using Almay products my entire life.  I have severe fragrance allergies and Almay was the first entirely fragrance-free cosmetics line.  For many years this was the only brand of eye makeup I could wear.

An eyeliner pencil may seem like a boring product, but if someone told me I could only have one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be an eyeliner pencil.  With a brown eyeliner pencil I could define my eyebrows, line my eyes and even add color to my lips.

Colors:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner comes in three matte colors: Black, Black/Brown, and Brown.  There are four additional pearlescent colors that are sold under the name Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner.  Those colors are: Purple Amethyst, Brown Topaz, Black Pearl and Raisin Quartz.  (Try a black on the upper lashes and a color on the lowers.)

Please Note:  If you have hypersensitive eyes, you may need to stay away from the Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner in the colors Purple Amethyst or Raisin Quartz as they contain Carmine and some people are sensitive to Carmine.  (I have worn both of these colors with no ill effects and Carmine does not bother me at all, but there are reports of sensitivity to these two colors by some users.)

Morning Review:  I apply pencil eyeliner after curling lashes, primer and before any other eye makeup.  The Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is a retractable pencil so you just twist up what you need.  Unlike some pencils that cannot be twisted back down, this one can.  The pencil is a medium to thick diameter so if you want a thinner line you will need to use the little pull-out sharpener that is in the bottom of the pencil.

As far as the formula goes, the pencil is semi-creamy and glides on easily without tugging.  This is a good eyeliner for a classic everyday look.  I use this eyeliner on the upper lash line as well as the lower lash line.  If you are going for a heavy smoky, smudged look, you can layer with this pencil.  If you are going for an extreme winged cat-eye look, this will not make fine lines at the corner and you will get better results with a marker or gel eyeliner.  I also prefer a waterproof gel for tightlining or using on the waterline.

Helpful Tips/Tricks:

  • Do not twist the pencil up too far when you sharpen it or you will break it.
  • To avoid smudging, always set your pencil eyeliner with a powdered eye shadow in the same color as the eyeliner. This is especially important if you have oily skin.

Evening Review:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner stays on well.  After many hours there was no smudging.  This did not come off with my regular facial cleanser, but it did come off easily with eye makeup remover or my makeup wipes.

Overall Review:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is easy to use, long lasting and does not irritate my hypersensitive eyes.

Pros:

  • Deep rich color
  • Applies quickly and easily
  • Stays on for many hours without smudging
  • Does not require a separate sharpener
  • Hypoallergenic formula does not cause any irritation
  • Readily available at local retailers
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Sometimes the outer cap cracks (I have had this happen twice recently.)

Suitability:  Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes, definitely.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour EyelinerAlmay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Sharpener

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Sharpener

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Swatch

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Classic Everyday Look

Almay 16 Hr Crayon Contour Eyeliner Classic Everyday Look

Ingredients:  Cyclomethicone, Synthetic Beeswax, Arachidyl Behenate, Microcrystalline Wax, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Mineral Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Aluminum Powder, Bismuth Oxychloride, Bronze Powder, Carmine, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Copper Powder, Manganese Violet, Zinc Oxide.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner

Product:  Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner.  If you tend to cry a lot, this eyeliner might be great for you!  (If you’re skilled with eyeliner, you probably won’t love the brush.)

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $3.99 for .17 fl. oz. ($23.47 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By: Wet N Wild Beauty; Walgreen’s; Wal-mart; Retailers everywhere.

Container: Plastic bottle with twist-off cap and felt-tip wand, outer carton.

Description: Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner is a very long-lasting liquid eyeliner formula.  The attached applicator is a felt-tip brush, just like the kind in the marker-type eyeliners.  You will need an eye makeup remover to completely get this off.

Sensitivity:  Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner is a fragrance-free product suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.  I have never experienced any sensitivity issues personally and I have never had any complaints from clients or testers.

Company Claims:  “Cue the waterworks! This liner provides lasting definition that won’t let you down. It’s waterproof, smudge-proof, and super long-lasting. Use the precise applicator brush to create everything from subtle fine lines to bold dramatic looks.

  • Long-lasting waterproof formula
  • Won’t skip, smudge, or streak”

Discussion:  Wet N Wild is a very inexpensive brand that is readily available at most retail outlets.  Their line has expanded and the quality of their products has improved quite a bit in recent years.

I have always been a huge fan of the cat-eye and winged eyeliner looks and liquid eyeliner is the best formula for that.  I’m constantly buying eyeliners in search of the perfect formula.  I’m also on a quest to try and find an inexpensive one that performs well that I can buy in bulk for each client.

What qualities do I look for in a liquid eyeliner?

  • Nice deep color saturation
  • Ease of application
  • No streaking
  • Good staying power
  • Waterproof or very water resistant
  • No flaking
  • Small flexible applicator that provides good control

This one meets some of my qualifications, but not all.

Colors:  Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner comes in two colors:  879-Black and 880-Dark Brown.  I have not used the Dark Brown.  The Black is a very deep, heavily-pigmented jet black.

Please note:  The packaging has recently changed from a black bottle with a silver applicator to an all-black color scheme and the following colors have been discontinued:  881-Ultra Black; 882-Black Brown; 883-Smoky; and 884-Expresso.  If you see the older colors for sale, check the expiration date as they are old stock, and may not perform as well.  The product I’m reviewing is color 881 which has now been discontinued.

Morning Review:  I always apply liquid eyeliner after primer and shadows and before lashes.  I use liquid eyeliner on the upper eyelids, only, never the lower.  I also do not use liquid eyeliner for tightlining.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the bottle was just how much product was on the brush.  (I’m calling this a brush even though it is technically a felt tip.)  There was way too much product to allow for any kind of control.  I had to wipe quite a bit off on the collar before applying it.  Also, the formula looked very wet and shiny, so I did not think I was going to like it at all as I don’t like eyeliners that dry with a sheen.  The next thing I noticed was how firm the felt tip was.  It is very stiff with no flexibility.  I could not make this eyeliner look good with the attached brush as it made the line too thick.  I then tried it with my own eyeliner brush and was quite impressed at how evenly it went on.  It took a full 90 seconds for it to dry completely.  Once dry, the finish was a beautiful rich matte finish.

Evening Review:  After twelve hours the Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner was still on and did not smudge, fade, flake or cause any irritation issues to my dry skin or sensitive eyes.  My tester with oily skin said it lasted about eight hours on her before it started to fade and smudge a little.  The products did not come off with cleanser and I had to use an eye makeup remover intended for waterproof products.

Overall Review:  Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner is a very good eyeliner formula with a terrible applicator.  This is not such a bad thing for personal use, but I would not buy this one again, as I need something that comes with a good usable applicator for my clients.  If I need to have a stack of separate eyeliner brushes, that defeats the purpose for me.  If you wear a very thick line on your upper lids you may like the applicator.

Pros:

  • Very deep black color
  • Waterproof
  • Stays on extremely well
  • Very Inexpensive
  • For sale at most US retailers

Cons:

  • The rubber liner on the bottle doesn’t clean off the wand part very well so you get too much extra product on it.
  • I have to use a separate brush for application or it gets messy looking.
  • It takes a while for it to dry down completely so you have to be careful not to move your eyes too much or it will transfer to your eyelid.
  • Need more colors available

Users:  Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars4 Stars for formula – 1 Star for brush = 3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars = Very Good.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Current Bottle

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Current Bottle

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Current Package

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Current Package

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Former Bottle and Package

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner Former Bottle and Package

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner On Eye

Wet N Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner On Eye

Ingredients:  Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer , C11-12 Isoparaffin, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, C8-9 Isoparaffin, Trihydroxystearin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Black 2/CI 77266.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Product:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner.  Does IT perform as well as IT is advertised?

Overall Rating = 2+ stars4.25 Stars for Effectiveness – 2 Stars for Issues = 2.25 Stars – Just Okay

Cost: $22 for .17 oz. ($129.41 per ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  IT Cosmetics; QVC; Ulta.

Container: Plastic automatic twist-up pencil, removable cap, sharpener, outer carton.

Description:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is a waterproof gel eyeliner in a pencil form as opposed to a little pot.  This eyeliner requires an eye makeup remover to effectively take all of it off.

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is a fragrance-free product suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.

Warning:  You have probably seen or heard of this brand from QVC, a TV shopping network, or from the Guthey-Renker infomercial.  A word of advice… if you do decide to give this brand a try, I recommend purchasing from QVC or Ulta.  If you fall for the infomercial like I did, you’ll be in for a rude awakening.  IT Cosmetics advertises a $39.95 (5-piece) or $49.95 (7-piece) offer, but when the shipment arrives, your credit card has been billed $119.00.  Nowhere are you informed that buying the initial offer also signs you up for an automatic shipment program and other membership charges you did not agree to.  Then you have to go through the hassle of refuting charges, you’re out shipping fees, etc.  Okay, you have been warned.

Claims:  The company states, “IT’s eye opening! Waterproof automatic pencil infused with skin loving hydrolyzed silk, collagen, peptides and anti-oxidants.”

Discussion:  Eyeliners come in the following formulas and they each have their pros, cons, and various uses:

  • Dry cake that you add water to
  • Wax-based wooden pencil that you sharpen
  • Wax-based automatic pencil that you twist up
  • Water-based liquid eyeliner
  • Waterproof liquid eyeliner
  • Cream in a pan or a pot
  • Gel in a pot
  • Gel in an automatic pencil that you twist up (IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner )

I immediately became a fan of gels when they were introduced over a decade ago.  A gel goes on like a cream, but then after one to two minutes, it dries and sets making it very long lasting.  At least that is true for dry to consistent skin.  Users with very oily skin may not have such great results.  Sadly, oily skin is not a friend to most types of eye makeup.

Please Note:  I will be posting an in-depth discussion of the various types of eyeliners and how to select the right type for your needs on the Help page.  Please stay tuned for that post.  If you want to know when updates are posted, please tell us in the  Comments section below.

Morning Review:  This is a difficult product for me to review.  Read on and you’ll understand why.  The first time I used IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner it went on like a dream.  I found the formula to be smooth, the color a nice deep black, and once it dried it seemed to be budge proof.  Before it dries, you can smudge it if you choose for a smoky look, or you can leave the line intact for a sharper look.

Had I only used it once and then written a review, my review would have given it 4 or even 5 stars.  Thankfully, I used this many times (or attempted to), before offering this review.  Otherwise, I would definitely be going back to revise my rating.

Evening Review:  After several hours IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner did not smudge, fade, flake or cause any irritation issues.  I used an eye makeup remover designed for waterproof makeup and it came off easily.  Sounds great, right?

So, what are the problems with IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner?

  • Even though I kept the product tightly capped and even stored it in the original box, after only two weeks it began to dry out and went from a smooth application to dry and tugging on my eyelids.
  • After one month the eyeliner was so dried out that it was unusable.
  • In order to get rid of the dry exterior, the pencil needs to be sharpened after every couple of uses, which wastes a lot of product (that is when you can actually get it to sharpen).
  • The built-in sharpener (in the end) that comes with the eyeliner causes product loss and breakage. As if that isn’t bad enough, the IT Cosmetics website offers conflicting advice to other users who have complained about this same issue.  (I posted actual text from their website below.)

Overall Review:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is great at first and then quickly turns into a dried-out unusable product.  If you use eyeliner every day and are okay with buying a new one every month, then this may be a very  good eyeliner for you.  If you are an occasional user, this will be a waste for you.

It is a shame that this eyeliner did not last longer as it has some beneficial ingredients for the skin and at first it was an impressive product.  With some tweaking of the formula to keep it from drying out so quickly this could be one of the best gel eyeliners in a stick form.

Helpful Tips & Tricks:

  • Always “set” your pencil, cream, or gel eyeliner with an eyeshadow in the same color as the eyeliner.
  • For a glossy extra-dramatic look, apply gel eyeliner, eyeshadow, then liquid eyeliner.
  • Always apply liquid eyeliner after your eyeshadow or the eyeshadow will get on the eyeliner and make it dull.

Users:  IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is suitable for the following users:

  • All users (provided you don’t mind buying the product frequently)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars4 Stars for effectiveness – 2 Stars for drying out so quickly = 2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars4 Stars for effectiveness – 2 Stars for drying out so quickly = 2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars (They only used it once.);

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.25 Stars = Just Okay.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Built-in Sharpener

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener Issue 1IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Sharpener Issue 2

Ingredients: BLACK: TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ISOHEXADECANE, ISODODECANE, POLYETHYLENE, SYNTHETIC WAX, SILICA, CERESIN, POLYISOBUTENE, METHICONE, ROSA CANINA FLOWER OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, PRUNUS AVIUM (SWEET CHERRY) SEED OIL, PRUNUS DOMESTICA SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, CHOLESTEROL, COLLAGEN, HYALURONIC ACID, HYDROLYZED SILK, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, OLEA EUROPAEA LEAF EXTRACT, PUNICA GRANATUM EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, IRON OXIDE (CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.